[#WaterPolo] Japan secures a place in the Super Final by finishing 6th overall despite losing to Croatia (FINA Men's Water Polo World Cup 2025) | Japan Swimming Federation

It was the final match of the FINA Men's Water Polo World Cup Division 1. Japan faced Croatia in the 5th-6th place playoff.

In the 1st period, after 1 minute and 30 seconds, Naoto Suzuki scored the opening goal from an assist by Taiyo Watanabe. Croatia responded quickly with a goal by Marko ZUVELA in 3 minutes, followed by Konstantin KHARKOV's second goal after a long rally. Seiya Adachi equalized shortly after, but just before the end of the 1st period, Croatia's Andrija BASIC scored, leaving Croatia leading 3-2.

As a result, Japan secures the qualification to the Super Final of the Water Polo World Cup 2025, where six teams from Division 1 will participate. With this, Japan will be competing in the Super Final along with the women's team.